Acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymers useful as protective surfaces

ABSTRACT

Cross-linked random acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymers are disclosed. These copolymers are prepared by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, at least one ureadiacetoacetamide and at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate, the ureadiacetoacetamide, and the diacetoacetamide. In a preferred embodiment, the copolymers are employed to produce wear layer compositions for surface coverings.

This invention relates to polymers.

More specifically, this invention relates to acrylatecyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymers and to coatings or films produced from these copolymers.

In one of its more specific aspects, this invention pertains to cross-linked random copolymers which are the reaction products of polyfunctional acrylates, cyanoacetates, ureadiacetoacetamides, and diacetoacetamides.

The resilient flooring industry is continually searching for new abrasion-resistant polymeric compositions which will serve as wear layers for decorative surface coverings, especially thermoplastic floor coverings.

The present invention provides novel acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide polymers which exhibit excellent film-forming properties and abrasion-resistant properties. Accordingly, these polymers, in film form, are well suited for use as wear layers for decorative thermoplastic floor coverings.

According to this invention, there is provided a crosslinked random acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, at least one ureadiacetoacetamide and at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate, the ureadiacetoacetamide, and the diacetoacetamide.

Also, according to this invention, there is provided a thermoplastic floor covering coated with a wear layer composition comprising a cross-linked random acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, ureadiacetoacetamide and at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate, the ureadiacetoacetamide, and the diacetoacetamide.

It is to be understood that this invention also provides for the production of cross-linked acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide copolymers, and cross-linked acrylate-cyanoacetate-diacetoacetamide copolymers, that is, copolymers prepared by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, and either at least one ureadiacetoacetamide or at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate, and either the ureadiacetoacetamide or diacetoacetamide. These acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide copolymers and acrylate-cyanoacetate-diacetoacetamide copolymers have been found to exhibit film-forming properties which make the copolymers suitable for use to produce films or coatings. However, the resulting films or coatings tend to be rather hard, inflexible, and accordingly, not as well suited for use as wear layer compositions for thermoplastic floor coverings as are the acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymers which facilitate the formation of more flexible wear layer coatings.

As the polyfunctional acrylate, use can be made of compounds having the formula

    R--O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.4,

    R.sup.1 --O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.3, or

    R.sup.2 --O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.2

wherein R represents ##STR1## R¹ represents ##STR2## represents: a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, --C₂ H₄ O--_(a) --C₂ H₄ --, ##STR3## --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ O--_(c) CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene groups, ##STR4## R³ represents hydrogen or (C₁ to C₃) alkyl; a is an integer from 1 to 20; b is an integer from 1 to 10; and c is an integer from 1 to 5.

Representative of the above useable polyfunctional acrylates are trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol (200) diacrylate, ethylene glycoldiacrylate, tripropyleneglycol diacrylate, trimethyl hexane diol diacrylate, 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol diacrylate, dibutylene glycol diacrylate, 1,4-cyclohexane diacrylate, dipropyleneglycol di-2-acrylylethyl ether, methylenebis(4-cyclohexane-2-acrylyl-ethyl urethane), 2,2,4-trimethylhexanebis(2-acrylyl-ethyl urethane), isophorone di(2-acrylyl-ethyl urethane), and the like.

The three above-recited urethane-containing diacrylates are not known to be commercially available. Accordingly, Examples 17 through 19 demonstrate a method for the preparation of each urethane-containing diacrylate recited above.

As the ureadiacetoacetamide, use can be made of compounds having the formula

    H.sub.3 C--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--NH--R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--HN--R.sup.5 --NH--C(O)--HN--R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--CH.sub.3

wherein R⁵ represents: 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene, 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene, mixtures of 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene and 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene, methylenebis(4-cyclohexylene), and 3-methylene-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylene; wherein each R⁴ may be the same or different and separately represents: a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylen group, --C₂ H₄ O--_(d) --C₂ H₄ --, ##STR5## a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene groups, --H₆ C₃ O--C₂ H₄ O--_(e) --C₂ H₄ --OC₃ H₆ --, ##STR6## d is an integer from 1 to 6; and e is an integer from 1 to 4.

Representative of the above usable ureadiacetoacetamides are bis 1,3(1-acetoacetamide-2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene-6-ureylene)3-methylene-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylene (hereinafter UDA-1); bis 4,4(1-acetoacetamide-2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene-6-ureylene)1,1-methylenedicyclohexylene (hereinafter UDA-2); bis 1',6'(1-acetoacetamide-2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene-6-ureylene)2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene (hereinafter UDA-3); bis 1,6(1-acetoacetamide-1,4-dimethylenecyclohexane-4-ureylene)2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene (hereinafter UDA-4); bis 4,4-(1-acetoacetamide-1,4-dimethylenecyclohexane-4-ureylene)1,1-methylenedicyclohexylene (hereinafter UDA-5); and bis 1,6-(1-acetoacetamide-1,3-dimethylenecyclohexane-4-ureylene)2,2,4-trimethylhexanemethylene (hereinafter UDA-6).

Unlike most of the polyfunctional acrylates, the ureadiacetoacetamides are not known to be commercially available. Accordingly, suitable methods for preparing the ureadiacetoacetamides usable in this invention are set forth in Examples 1 through 10 below.

As the diacetoacetamide, use can be made of compounds having the formula

    R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--CH.sub.3).sub.2

wherein R⁴, d, and e are as defined above.

Representative of the above usable diacetoacetamides are isophorone diacetoacetamide, diethylene glycol di-3-acetoacetamide propyl ether, N,N'-bis(propyl-3-acetoacetamide)-piperazine, 1,4 cyclohexanebis(methylacetoacetamide), 1,3 cyclohexanebis(methylacetoacetamide), 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediacetoacetamide, 1,3-propanediacetoacetamide, diethylenglycol-di-2-acetoacetamide-ethyl eyther, dipropyleneglycol diacetoacetamide propyl ether, 1,4-cyclohexanebis(acetoacetamide), trimethylhexamethylene diacetoacetamide, and the like.

The above usable diacetoacetamides are not known to be commercially available. Accordingly, suitable methods for preparing the diacetoacetamides usable in this invention are set forth in Examples 11 through 16 below.

As the cyanoacetate, use can be made of compounds having the formulae

    R.sup.6 --O--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --CN, or

    R.sup.7 --O--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --CN).sub.2

wherein R⁶ represents a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkyl group, benzyl, CH₃ CH₂ O--C₂ H₄ O--_(f) C₂ H₄ --, ##STR7## a cycloalkane group, and a cycloalkane bearing a (C₁ to C₃) alkyl group; R⁷ represents a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group. ##STR8## CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene group, ##STR9## and a, b, and c are as defined above and f is an integer from 0 to 4.

Representative of the above usable cyanoacetates are methylcyanoacetate, ethylcyanoacetate, benzylcyanoacetate, 2-ethoxyethylcyanoacetate, 2-ethoxy-2-ethoxyethylcyanoacetate, 2-propoxypropylcyanoacetate, cyclohexylcyanoacetate, cyclohexymethylcyanoacetate, butanedioldicyanoacetate, hexanedioldicyanoacetate, polyethylene glycol (200) dicyanoacetate, ethylene glycol dicyanoacetate, tripropylene glycol dicyanoacetate, trimethylhexanediol dicyanoacetae, 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol dicyanoacetate, dibutylene glycol dicyanoacetate, 1,4 cyclohexane dicyanoacetate, and the like.

Of the above usable cyanoacetates, only methylcyanoacetate and ethyl cyanoacetate are known to be commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company. Accordingly, Examples 20 through 24 below, demonstrate the preparation of several other cyanoacetates suitable for use in this invention.

The amounts of polyfunctional acrylate, cyanoacetate, ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetomide can be varied within wide ranges. Typically, best results are obtained when the molar amount of polyfunctional acrylate falls within the mole ratio range determined according to the following formulae:

    Mole ratio range for diacrylate=X+Y+Z to 2X+Y+2Z

    Mole ratio range for triacrylate=(X+Y+Z)/1.5 to 2X+Y+2Z/1.5

    Mole ratio range for tetracrylate=(X+Y+Z)/2 to (2X+Y+2Z)/2

wherein X represents the sum of the moles of ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide, Y represents the total moles of monocyanaoacetate and Z represents the total moles of dicyanoacetate.

Although the ureadiacetoacetamides and the diacetoacetamides can be separately prepared, it is preferred, as demonstrated in Examples 1-10, that both ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide is prepared in a single reaction rather than being prepared by separate reactions.

As the catalyst to promote the reaction, a Michael reaction, use can be made of any of a variety of well known Michael reaction-type catalysts commonly employed to promote condensation. Particularly suitable are strong basic catalysts such as sodium methoxide, sodium metal, sodium ethylate, benzyl-trimethyl ammonium methoxide, and the like. Catalytic amounts of materials are selected in accordance with well known practices in the polymer art, the amount being one sufficient to promote the polycondensation reaction. For further information relating to the Michael reaction mechanism, see "The Michael Reaction" by E. D. Bergmann et al., Organic Reactions, Vol. 10, chapter 3, pages 179-555, and Modern Synthetic Reactions, H. O. House, 2nd Ed. (1972), pages 595-623, both herein incorporated by reference.

The polymerization reaction can be carried out using the reactants as the only reaction medium since the polyfunctional acrylates, the cyanoacetate ureadiacetoacetamides, and the diacetoacetamides are normally in the liquid state and/or they can be uniformly blended together.

Further, if the acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamidediacetoacetamide copolymer is employed to produce a wear layer composition, the polymerization reaction can be carried out in the presence of art recognized amounts of optical ingredients typically employed in wear layer compositions such as surfactants, heat and light stabilizers, and the like.

The following examples will serve to more fully illustrate specific embodiments of and the best mode for practicing this invention.

EXAMPLE 1

This example demonstrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide (hereinafter designated U-1).

To a reaction vessel were added about 19 grams (0.073 mole) of methylene bis-7-cyclohexyl isocyanate (designated "Hylene W" commercially available from E. I. DuPont) in about 100 milliliters of methylene chloride and about 238 grams (1.44 moles) of 2,2,4-trimethylhexanediamine with stirring.

The contents of the reaction vessel were cooled to and maintained at a temperature of from 0° to 5° C. and about 280 grams (3.34 moles) of diketene were added to the contents of the reaction vessel with cooling to 0° to -5° C.

The contents of the reaction vessel were held at a temperature of from 0° to 5° C. for about 4 hours and then about 60 grams of methylamine were added to the contents of the reaction vessel.

The resulting reaction product was transferred to a separatory funnel and acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid.

The reaction product was washed twice, once with about 250 milliliters of water and about 50 milliliters of saturated sodium chloride solution and a second time with about 250 milliliters of water, about 50 milliliters of saturated sodium chloride solution and a sufficient amount (about 5 cc) of saturated NaHCO₃ solution to neutralize the separatory funnel contents to a pH of about 4 to 5.

After the second washing, the methylene chloride layer containing the reaction product was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The magnesium sulfate was filtered off; the methylene chloride removed by vacuum distillation, and the resulting product observed, analyzed, and found to be a light yellow viscous mixture of 0.05 mole of UDA-2 and 0.95 mole of trietmhylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 474 grams.

EXAMPLE 2

This example demonstrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide.

To a reaction vessel were added about 9.7 grams (0.044 mole) isophorone diisocyanate (3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylisocyanate) in about 25 milliliters of methylene chloride and about 44.3 grams (0.3 mole) trimethylhexanediamine in about 230 milliliters of methylene chloride with stirring.

The contents of the reaction vessel were cooled to and maintained at a temperature of from 10° to 15° C. and about 41.3 grams (0.49 mole) of diketene were added to the contents of the reaction vessel with cooling to about 10° C.

The contents of the reaction vessel were held at about 10° C. for about 3 hours.

The resulting reaction product was transferred to a separatory funnel and acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid.

The reaction product was washed twice, once with about 250 milliliters of water and about 50 milliliters of saturated sodium chloride solution and a second time with about 250 milliliters of water, about 50 milliliters of saturated sodium chloride solution and a sufficient amount (about 5 cc) of saturated NaHCO₃ solution to neutralize the separatory funnel contents to a pH of about 6.

After the second washing, the methylene chloride layer containing the reaction product was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The magnesium sulfate was filtered off; the methylene chloride removed by vacuum distillation, and the resulting product observed, analyzed, and found to be a light yellow viscous mixture of 0.2 mole of UDA-1 and 0.8 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 84.5 grams.

EXAMPLE 3

This example demonostrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 2.

Ingredients

26 grams (0.12 mole) trimethylhexane diisocyanate (TMDI) in 70 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

63 grams (0.43 mole) trimethylhexanediamine (TMDA) in 300 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

55.5 grams (0.66 mole) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed and found to contain 0.3 mole UDA-3 and 0.7 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 134.2 grams.

EXAMPLE 4

This example demonstrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 2.

Ingredients

26 grams (0.12 mole) trimethylhexanediisocyanate (TMDI) in 50 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

44.4 grams (0.31 mole) trimethylhexanediamine (TMDA) in 210 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

33.6 grams (0.40 mole) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed, and found to contain 0.5 mole of UDA-3 and 0.5 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 96 grams.

EXAMPLE 5

This example demonstrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 2.

Ingredients

31.2 grams (0.15 mole) trimethylhexanediisocyanate (TMDI) in 50 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

41.5 grams (0.28 mole) trimethylhexanediamine (TMDA) in 200 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

28.2 grams (0.34 mole) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed and found to contain 0.75 mole of UDA-3 and 0.25 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 105 grams.

EXAMPLE 6

This example demonstrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide (hereinafter designated U-6) using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 1.

Ingredients

36 grams (0.14 mole) "Hylene W" (methylene bis-4-cyclohexyl isocyanate) in 150 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

254 grams (1.55 moles) trimethylhexanediamine (TMDA)

271 grams (3.72 moles) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed and found to contain 0.10 mole of UDA-2 and 0.90 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 486 grams.

EXAMPLE 7

This example demonostrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 2.

Ingredients

18.2 grams (0.086 mole) trimethylhexanediisocyanate (TMDI) in 20 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

10.7 grams (0.07 mole) trimethylhexanediamine and

19.9 grams (0.14 mole) 1,3-cyclohexylbismethylamine in 200 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

13.8 grams (0.09 mole) trimethylhexanediamine

39.4 grams (0.47 mole) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed and found to contain 0.3 mole mixed UDA-3 and UDA-6 and 0.7 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 95 grams.

EXAMPLE 8

This example demonostrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 2.

Ingredients

26 grams (0.12 mole) trimethylhexanediisocyanate (TMDI) in 50 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

19.8 grams (0.13 mole) trimethylhexanediamine and

14.3 grams (0.10 mole) 1,4-cyclohexylbismethylamine in 200 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

24.8 grams (0.27 mole) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed and found to contain 0.75 mole of mixed UDA-3 and UDA-4 and 0.25 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 83 grams.

EXAMPLE 9

This example demonstrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 2.

Ingredients

26 grams (0.10 mole) "Hylene W" (methylene bis-4-cyclohexylisocyanate) in 40 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

18.5 grams (0.13 mole) trimethylhexanediamine and

14.2 grams (0.10 mole) 1,4-cyclohexylbismethylamine in 500 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

80.2 grams (0.54 mole) trimethylhexanediamine

114.4 grams (1.36 mole) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed and found to contain 0.15 mole of mixed UDA-2 and UDA-5 and 0.85 mole of trimethylhexanediacetoacetamide. The yield was 250 grams.

EXAMPLE 10

This example demonstrates the preparation of a mixture containing ureadiacetoacetamide and diacetoacetamide using the following ingredients and substantially the procedure of Example 2.

Ingredients

31 grams (0.12 mole) "Hylene W" (methylene bis-4-cyclohexylisocyanate) in 50 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

136 grams (0.92 mole) 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine in 250 milliliters CH₂ Cl₂

137 grams (1.63 moles) diketene

The resulting reaction product was viscous, yellow in color, analyzed and found to contain 0.15 mole of UDA-2 and 0.85 mole of trimethylhexamethylenediacetoacetamide. The yield was 276 grams.

EXAMPLE 11

This example demonstrates a method for the preparation of isophorone diacetoacetamide.

About 85 grams (0.5 mole) of isophorone diamine (3-aminomethyl 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine) and about 325 milliliters of methylene chloride were added to a reaction vessel with stirring.

The contents of the reaction vessel were cooled to and maintained at a temperature of about 15° C. and about 80 grams (0.95 mole) of diketene were added to the contents of the reaction vessel over a period of about 1 hour.

The temperature of the contents of the reaction vessel was held at about 15° C. for about 13/4 hours and the resulting reaction product was transferred to a separatory funnel and acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid.

The reaction product was washed twice, once with about 250 milliliters of water and about 50 milliliters of saturated sodium chloride solution and a second time with about 250 milliliters of water, about 50 milliliters of saturated sodium chloride solution and a sufficient amount (about 5 cc) of saturated NaHCO₃ solution to neutralize the separatory funnel contents to a pH of about 6.

After the second washing, the methylene chloride layer containing the reaction product was dried with anhyrous magnesium sulfate. The magnesium sulfate was filtered off; the methylene chloride was removed by vacuum distillation and the resulting product, isophorone diacetoacetamide, was recovered in a yield of about 132 grams and observed to be viscous and light yellow in color.

EXAMPLE 12

This example demonstrates a method for the preparation of diethyleneglycol diacetoacetamide propyl ether.

About 66 grams (0.3 mole) of diethyleneglycol diaminopropyl ether (commercially available from Union Carbide Corporation, designated "Polyglycoldiamine H-221") and about 230 milliliters of methylene chloride were added to a reaction vessel with stirring.

The contents of the reaction vessel were cooled to and maintained at a temperature of about 15° C. and about 50.4 grams (0.6 mole) of diketene were added to the contents of the reaction vessel over a period of about 1 hour.

The temperature of the contents of the reaction vessel was held at about 10° to 15° C. for a period of about 4 hours and the methylene chloride was removed by vacuum distillation.

The resulting reaction product was dissolved in isopropyl alcohol and recrystallized from the alcohol. The resulting product, diethyleneglycol diacetoacetamide propyl ether, was recovered and found to have a melting point range of about 62° to 63° C. and observed to be white in color.

EXAMPLE 13

This example demonstrates a method for the preparation of N,N'-bis(propyl-3-acetoacetamide)-piperazine.

The following ingredients were reacted using substantially the procedure of Example 11 with the exception that the contents of the reaction vessel were held at 10° to 15° C. for a period of about 4 hours instead of the 13/4 hours in Example 11.

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredients         Amount                                                     ______________________________________                                         diketene            50.4 grams (0.6 mole)                                      N,N'-bis(aminopropyl)-piperazine                                                                   60 grams (0.3 mole)                                        methylene chloride  250 milliliters                                            ______________________________________                                    

The resulting product, N,N'-bis(propyl-3-acetoacetamide)-piperazine, was recovered in a yield of about 92 grams and observed to be viscous and light yellow in color.

EXAMPLE 14

This example demonstrates a method for the preparation of 1,4-cyclohexanebis(methylacetoacetamide).

The following ingredients were reacted using substantially the procedure of Example 12 with the exception that the contents of the reaction vessel were held at about 15° C. for about 2 hours.

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredients         Amount                                                     ______________________________________                                         diketene            33.6 grams (0.4 mole)                                      1,4 cyclohexanebis(methylamine)                                                                    28.4 grams (0.2 mole)                                      methylene chloride  100 milliliters                                            ______________________________________                                    

The resulting crude product, 1,4-cyclohexanebis(methylacetoacetamide), was recovered and recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol. The recrystallized product was found to have a melting point range of about 140° to 143° C. and observed to be white in color.

EXAMPLE 15

This example demonstrates a method for the preparation of 1,3-cyclohexanebis(methylacetoacetamide).

The following ingredients were reacted using substantially the procedure of Example 12 with the exception that chloroform was substituted for the methylene chloride, and rather than recrystallizing in isopropyl alcohol, the reaction product was washed in benzene.

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredients         Amount                                                     ______________________________________                                         diketene            84 grams (1 mole)                                          1,3-cyclohexanebis(methylamine)                                                                    71 grams (0.5 mole)                                        chloroform          250 milliliters                                            ______________________________________                                    

The benzene insoluble fraction of the reaction product was recovered as 1,3-cyclohexanebis(methylacetoacetamide) and found to have a melting point range of about 105° to 115° C. and observed to be light yellow in color.

EXAMPLE 16

This example demonstrates a method for the preparation of 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediacetoacetamide.

The following ingredients were reacted using substantially the procedure of Example 11 with the exception that the contents of the reaction vessel were held at 10° to 15° C. for a period of about 2 hours instead of the 13/4 hours in Example 11.

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredients        Amount                                                      ______________________________________                                         diketene           49.2 grams (0.59 mole)                                      trimethylhexanediamine                                                                            45.3 grams (0.31 mole)                                      methylene chloride 150 milliliters                                             ______________________________________                                    

The resulting product, 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediacetoacetamide, was recovered in a yield of about 89 grams and observed to be light yellow in color and viscous.

EXAMPLE 17

This example demonstrates the preparation of a urethane-containing diacrylate.

About 1 mole of methylenebis-4-cyclohexane isocyanate (designated "Hylene W", commercially available from E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co.) and about 2 moles of hydroxyethylacrylate and about 0.05 gram of dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst were added to a reaction vessel at room temperature, with stirring. The temperature of the reaction vessel was increased to about 60° C. After about 3 hours, the resulting reaction product, methylenebis(4-cyclohexane-2-acryl-ethyl urethane), having the formula ##STR10## was recovered.

EXAMPLE 18

This example demonstrates the preparation of a urethane-containing diacrylate.

About 1 mole of 2,2,4-trimethylhexane diisocyanate (designated "TMDI", commercially available from Thorson Chemical Co.) and about 2 moles of hydroxyethylacrylate and about 0.05 gram of dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst were added to a reaction vessel at room temperature, with stirring. The temperature of the reaction vessel was increased to about 60° C. After about 3 hours, the resulting reaction product, 2,2,4-trimethylhexane-bis(2-acrylyl-ethyl urethane), having the formula ##STR11## was recovered.

EXAMPLE 19

This example demonstrates the preparation of a urethane-containing diacrylate.

About 1 mole of 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl isocyanate (designated "IPDI" isophorone diisocyanate, commercially available from Thorson Chemical Co.) and about 2 moles of hydroxyethylacrylate and about 0.05 gram of dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst were added to a reaction vessel at room temperature, with stirring. The temperature of the reaction vessel was increased to about 60° C. After about 3 hours, the resulting reaction product, isophorone di(2-acrylyl-ethyl urethane), having the formula ##STR12## was recovered.

EXAMPLE 20

This example demonstrates the preparation of benzylcyanoacetate.

184 grams (1.70 moles) of benzyl alcohol, 174 grams (2.04 moles) of cyanoacetatic acid, 2 grams dibutyltindioctoate and 75 ml isoctane were added to a reaction vessel with stirring and heated at 99° to 103° C. for about 12 hours.

The resulting reaction product was washed with saturated NaHCO₃ to a pH of about 8 and fractionally distilled at 1 mm pressure into three fractions.

The three fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography and determined to be 85%, 100% and 100% benzylcyanoacetate, respectively. The total yield of benzylcyanoacetate was 236 grams or 79%.

EXAMPLE 21

This example demonstrates the preparation of cyclohexylcyanoacetate.

250 grams (2.5 moles) of cyclohexanol, 255 grams (3.0 moles) of cyanoacetic acid, 2.5 grams of dibutyltindioctoate and 75 ml isooctane were added to a reaction vessel with stirring and heated at 100° to 110° C. for about 12 hours.

The resulting reaction product was washed with saturated NaHCO₃ to a pH of about 8 and fractionally distilled at 1 mm pressure into two fractions.

The two fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography and determined to be 97.6% and 99.6% cyclohexylcyanoacetate respectively. The total yield of cyclohexylcyanoacetate was 357 grams or 86%.

EXAMPLE 22

This example demonstrates the preparation of cyclohexylbismethylcyanoacetate.

101 grams (0.7 mole) of 1,4-cyclohexamethylenebismethylol, 131 grams (1.20 moles) of cyanoacetic acid, 1.5 grams of dibutyltindioctoate and 75 ml toluene were added to a reaction vessel with stirring and heated at 108° to 118° C. for about 5 hours.

The resulting reaction product was dissolved in 150 ml methylene chloride and washed four times with hot water and found to have a pH of about 4.

Next, the toluene and methylene chloride were removed at reduced pressure.

The crude product was recrystallized from isopropanol and recovered as 1,4 cyclohexylbismethylcyanoacetate at a yield of 147 grams or 67%.

EXAMPLE 23

This example demonstrates the preparation of butanedioldicyanoacetate.

63 grams (0.70 mole) of 1,4-butanediol, 131 grams (1.47 moles) of cyanoacetic, 1.5 grams of dibutyltindioctoate and 75 ml of toluene were added to a reaction vessel with stirring and heated 31/2 hours at 100° to 109° C.

The resulting reaction product was diluted with methylene chloride and washed four times with water to remove unreacted cyanoacetic acid.

Next, the methylene chloride was removed at reduced pressure.

The crude product was recrystallized from methanol-isopropanol and recovered as butanedioldicyanoacetate at a yield of about 130 grams.

EXAMPLE 24

This example demonstrates the preparation of hexanedioldicyanoacetate.

160 grams (1.36 moles) of 1,6-hexanediol, 212 grams (2.65 moles) of cyanoacetic acid, 1 gram of dibutyltindioctoate and 75 ml of toluene were added to a reaction vessel with stirring and heated at 112° to 133° C. for 7 hours.

The resulting reaction product was diluted with 500 ml methylene chloride, washed with saturated NaHCO₃ to a pH of about 8, and water washed.

Next, the methylene chloride and toluene were removed at reduced pressure.

The crude product was recrystallized from isopropanol and recovered as hexanedioldicyanoacetate at a yield of 221 grams or 62%.

EXAMPLE 25

This example demonstrates the preparation of a polymer film of this invention.

About 1.05 moles of hexanediol diacrylate, about 0.3 mole of trimethylolpropanetriacrylate, about 0.5 mole of cyclohexylcyanoacetate of Example 21, about 1.0 mole of the reaction product mixture of Example 6 (containing 0.1 mole UDA-2, and 0.9 mole of 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediacetoacetamide) about 0.4 percent by weight of the reactants of a 30% by weight polyethyleneoxide siloxane surfactant (Dow Corning DC-193) in methanol solution and about 1 percent by weight of the reactants of a 15% by weight sodium methoxide in methanol catalyst solution were added to a reaction vessel at room temperature with stirring.

The resulting polymer mixture was coated on a glass surface using a Bird applicator to a coating thickness of about 0.003 inch. And, the coating was allowed to cure for about 15 minutes at a temperature of about 90° C.

The resulting cured polymer film was removed from the glass surface and observed to be clear and colorless. The film was tested by differential scanning calorimetery (DuPont 900 Thermal Analyzer) and found to have a Tg midpoint of about 34° C. The cured polymer film was also found to have a tensile strength of 3,018 psi and a percent elongation of 177.

EXAMPLE 26

The following ingredients were reacted, coated on glass and cured using substantially the procedure of Example 25.

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredients              Amount                                                ______________________________________                                         hexanediol diacrylate    0.95 mole                                             trimethylolpropane triacrylate                                                                          0.5 mole                                              cyclohexylcyanoacetate of Example 21                                                                    0.5 mole                                              reaction product mixture of Example 6                                                                   1.0 mole                                              30% by weight "DC-193" in methanol solution                                                             0.4% by weight                                        15% by weight sodium methoxide in methanol                                                              1% by weight                                           catalyst solution                                                             ______________________________________                                    

The resulting cured polymer film was removed from the glass surface and observed to be clear and colorless. The film was tested and found to have a Tg midpoint of about 33° C. The polymer film was also found to have a tensile strength of 3,481 psi and a percent elongation of 220.

The following Table I contains Examples 27 through 29. All polymer compositions were prepared coated on glass and cured using substantially the procedure of Example 25. All examples were catalyzed with 1 percent by weight of a 15 percent by weight sodium methoxide in methanol solution and included 0.4 percent by weight of a 30 percent by weight "DC-193" in methanol solution surfactant.

                                      Table I                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Cured Polymer Films of 1.0 Mole of the                                         Reaction Product Mixture of Example 6 (U-6) With                               Hexanediol Diacrylate (HDDA),                                                  Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate (TMPTA), and                                    Cyclohexylcyanoacetate (CHCA)                                                                                         Tensile                                                                             %                                  Example                          Tg (DSC)                                                                             Strength                                                                            Elonga-                            No.  Ingredients and Amount (Moles)                                                                             Midpoint                                                                             PSI  tion                               __________________________________________________________________________     27   1.0M U-6                                                                            1.3M HDDA                                                                              0.5M TMPTA                                                                             0.75M CHCA                                                                            32°                                                                           3,774                                                                               223                                28   1.0M U-6                                                                            1.55M HDDA                                                                             0.5M TMPTA                                                                             1.0M CHCA                                                                             25°                                                                           3,830                                                                               262                                29   1.0M U-6                                                                            1.8M HDDA                                                                              0.5M TMPTA                                                                             1.25M CHCA                                                                            26°                                                                           3,402                                                                               275                                __________________________________________________________________________

The following Table II contains Examples 37 and 57. All polymer compositions were prepared coated on glass and cured using substantially the procedure of Example 25. All examples were catalyzed with 1 percent by weight of a 15 percent by weight sodium methoxide in methanol solution and included 0.4 percent by weight of a 30 percent by weight "DC-193" in methanol solution surfactant.

                                      Table II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Cured Acrylate-Cyanoacetate-Ureadiacetoacetamide-Diacetoacetamide              Copolymer Films                                                                                                                   Tensile                     Ex.                                          Tg (DSC)                                                                             Strength                                                                             Percent               No.                                                                               Ingredients and Amount (Moles)            Midpoint(s)                                                                          (PSI) Elongation            __________________________________________________________________________     30 1.0M                                                                              U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.55M                                                                              HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.5M                                                                              PETA.sup.3                                                                           0.5M                                                                              CHCA.sup.4   30°,                                                                          Not Tested                                                                           Not Tested            31 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.25                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.5                                                                               PETA.sup.3                                                                           0.5                                                                               CHCA.sup.4   3°,                                                                           "6°                                                                           "                     32 1.0                                                                               U-1.sup.5                                                                          1.25                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.5                                                                               PETA.sup.3                                                                           0.5                                                                               CHCA.sup.4   1°,                                                                           "0°                                                                           "                     33 1.0                                                                               U-6 1.30                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.5                                                                               PETA.sup.3                                                                           0.5                                                                               CHCA.sup.4   6°,                                                                           "1°                                                                           "                     34 1.0                                                                               U-6 1.05                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.5                                                                               PETA.sup.3                                                                           0.5                                                                               CHCA.sup.4   36°                                                                           "     "                     35 1.0                                                                               U-1 1.30                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.5                                                                               PETA.sup.3                                                                           0.5                                                                               CHCA.sup.4   31°                                                                           "     "                     36 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.4 HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.1                                                                               TMPTA.sup.6                                                                          0.75                                                                              MCA.sup.7    25°                                                                           2,428 137                   37 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.65                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.2                                                                               TMPTA.sup.6                                                                          1.0                                                                               MCA.sup.7    18°                                                                           1,048 95                    38 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.65                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.2                                                                               TMPTA.sup.6                                                                          1.0                                                                               ECA.sup.8    20°                                                                           2,006 128                   39 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.65                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.2                                                                               TMPTA.sup.6                                                                          1.0                                                                               CHCA         24°                                                                           1,612 101                   40 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.65                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.2                                                                               TMPTA.sup.6                                                                          1.0                                                                               BZCA.sup.9   16°                                                                           1,034 127                   41 1.0                                                                               U-6 3.5 HDDA.sup.2                                                                           --       0.2                                                                               HDDCA.sup.10                                                                          1.0 MCA                                                                              16°                                                                           982    86                   42 1.0                                                                               U-6 4.1 HDDA.sup.2                                                                           --       0.4                                                                               HDDCA.sup.10  7°                                                                           601   67                    43 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.2 HDDA.sup.2                                                                           --       0.5                                                                               CHCA         23°                                                                           882   118                   44 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.65                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           --       0.75                                                                              CHCA         20°                                                                           857   120                   45 1.0                                                                               U-6 3.1 HDDA.sup.2                                                                           --       1.0                                                                               CHCA         18°                                                                           1,676 150                   46 1.0                                                                               U-6 1.9 HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.2                                                                               TMPTA 0.5                                                                               CHCA         27°                                                                           1,822 142                   47 1.0                                                                               U-6 2.35                                                                               HDDA.sup.2                                                                           0.2                                                                               TMPTA 0.75                                                                              CHCA         27°                                                                           1,707 115                   48 1.0M                                                                              U-6.sup.1                                                                          2.8M                                                                               HDDA  0.2M                                                                              TMPTA 1.0M                                                                              CHCA.sup.4                                                                            0.35 MCA                                                                             22°                                                                           940   95                    49 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          2.35                                                                               HDDA  0.2                                                                               TMPTA 0.4                                                                               CHCA.sup.4                                                                            0.50 MCA                                                                             27°                                                                           2,798 118                   50 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          2.8 HDDA  0.2                                                                               TMPTA 0.5                                                                               CHCA.sup.4   21°                                                                           1,907 125                   51 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.8 HDDA  --       0.5                                                                               MCA          19°                                                                           4,690 266                   52 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.95                                                                               HDDA  --       0.5                                                                               MCA          6°,                                                                           4,722gree.                                                                           200                   53 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.43                                                                               HDDA  0.25                                                                              TMPTA 0.5                                                                               MCA          4°, 30°,                                                               4,372 222                   54 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.58                                                                               HDDA  0.25                                                                              TMPTA 0.5                                                                               MCA          7°,                                                                           4,952gree.                                                                           189                   55 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.58                                                                               HDDA  0.25                                                                              TMPTA 0.5                                                                               ECA          15°, 35°                                                               3,542 202                   56 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.05                                                                               HDDA  0.5                                                                               TMPTA 0.5                                                                               MCA          15°, 35°                                                               4,441 183                   57 1.0                                                                               U-6.sup.1                                                                          1.20                                                                               HDDA  0.5                                                                               TMPTA 0.5                                                                               MCA          7°,                                                                           3,845gree.                                                                           118                   __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 U6 reaction product mixture of Example 6?                               .sup.2 HDDA hexanedioldiocrylate                                               .sup.3 PETA pentaerythritol tetraacrylate                                      .sup.4 CHCA cyclohexylcyanoacetate                                             .sup.5 U1 reaction product mixture of Example 1                                .sup.6 TMPTA trimethylolpropanetriacrylate                                     .sup.7 MCA methylcyanoacetate                                                  .sup.8 ECA ethylcyanoacetate                                                   .sup.9 BZCA benzylcyanoacetate                                                 .sup.10 HDDCA hexanedioldicyanoacetate                                   

EXAMPLE 58

This example demonstrates the preparation of a thermoplastic floor covering which was coated with a wear layer composition comprising a cross-linked random acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymer of this invention.

About 1.35 moles of hexanedioldiacrylate, about 0.3 mole of trimethylolpropanetriacrylate, about 0.5 mole of cyclohexylcyanoacetate of Example 21, about one mole of (U-6) the reaction product mixture of Example 6 (containing 0.1 mole of UDA-2 and 0.9 mole of 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediacetoacetamide), about 0.4% by weight of the reactants of a 30% by weight polyethyleneoxide surfactant (Dow Corning DC-193) in methanol solution and about 9% by weight of the reactants of a 15% by weight sodium methoxide in methanol catalyst solution were added to the reaction vessel at room temperature with stirring.

The resulting wear layer composition was applied to a thickness of 0.003 inch using a conventional applicator, in this example a Bird applicator, to a 12"×12" white vinyl tile and cured at 90° C. for about 15 minutes.

The resulting cured acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymer wear layer on the tile was observed to be clear and colorless.

The wear layer coated tile was tested for gloss retention using an art recognized traffic wheel test. The initial gloss value, before testing, was 91 units (Gardner Difference Reflectance). After 90 minutes of testing, the gloss value was 81. The gloss retention of the coated tile was rated as excellent having lost only 10 gloss units after the 90 minutes of testing.

It will be evident from the foregoing that various modifications can be made to the present invention. Such, however, are considered as being within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cross-linked acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, and at least one ureadiacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate and the ureadiacetoacetamide.
 2. A cross-linked acrylate-cyanoacetate-diacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, and at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate and the diacetoacetamide.
 3. A cross-linked random acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, at least one ureadiacetoacetamide and at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate, the ureadiacetoacetamide, and the diacetoacetamide.
 4. The cross-linked random copolymer of claim 3 in which said polyfunctional acrylate has the formula

    R--O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.4

wherein R represents ##STR13##
 5. The cross-linked random copolymer of claim 1 in which said polyfunctional acrylate has the formula

    R.sup.1 --O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.3

wherein R¹ represents ##STR14## and R₃ represents hydrogen or (C₁ to C₃) alkyl.
 6. The cross-linked random copolymer of claim 1 in which said polyfunctional acrylate has the formula

    R.sup.2 --O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.2

wherein R² represents: a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, --C₂ H₄ O--_(a) --C₂ H₄ --, ##STR15## --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ O--_(c) CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene groups, ##STR16## a is an integer from 1 to 20; b is an integer from 1 to 10; and c is an integer from 1 to
 5. 7. The cross-linked random copolymer of claim 3 in which said ureadiacetoacetamide has the formula

    H.sub.3 C--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--NH--R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--HN--R.sup.5 --NH--C(O)--HN--R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--CH.sub.3 wherein R.sup.5 represents: 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene, 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene, mixtures of 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene and 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene, methylenebis(4-cyclohexylene), and 3-methylene-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylene; wherein each R.sup.4 may be the same or different and separately represents: a (C.sub.1 to C.sub.10) alkylene group, a (C.sub.1 to C.sub.4) alkyl substituted (C.sub.1 to C.sub.10) alkylene group, --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O--.sub.d --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 --, ##STR17## a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C.sub.1 to C.sub.3)alkylene groups, --H.sub.6 C.sub.3 O--C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O--.sub.e --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 --OC.sub.3 H.sub.6 --, ##STR18## d is an integer from 1 to 6; and e is an integer from 1 to
 4.


8. The cross-linked random copolymer of claim 3 in which said diacetoacetamide has the formula

    R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--CH.sub.3).sub.2

wherein R⁴, d, and e are as defined above.
 9. The cross-linked random copolymer of claim 3 in which said cyanoacetate has the formula

    R.sup.6 --O--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --CN

wherein R⁶ represents a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkyl group, benzyl, CH₃ CH₂ O--C₂ H₄ O--_(f) C₂ H₄ --, ##STR19## a cycloalkene group, and a cycloalkane bearing a (C₁ to C₃) alkyl group and f is an integer from 0 to
 4. 10. The cross-linked random copolymer of claim 3 in which said cyanoacetate has the formula

    R.sup.7 --(O--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --CN).sub.2

wherein R⁷ represents a (C₁ to C₁₀ alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, --C₂ H₄ O--_(a) --C₂ H₄ --, ##STR20## --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ O--_(c) CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene groups, ##STR21## ##STR22## and a, b, and c are as defined above.
 11. A thermoplastic floor covering coated with a wear layer composition comprising a cross-linked acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, and at least one ureadiacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate and the ureadiacetoacetamide.
 12. A thermoplastic floor covering coated with a wear layer composition comprising a cross-linked acrylate-cyanoacetate-diacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, and at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate and the diacetoacetamide.
 13. A thermoplastic floor covering coated with a wear layer composition comprising a cross-linked random acrylate-cyanoacetate-ureadiacetoacetamide-diacetoacetamide copolymer produced by the reaction of at least one polyfunctional acrylate with at least one cyanoacetate, at least one ureadiacetoacetamide and at least one diacetoacetamide in the presence of a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction between the polyfunctional acrylate, the cyanoacetate, the ureadiacetoacetamide, and the diacetoacetamide.
 14. The thermoplastic floor covering of claim 13 in which aid polyfunctional acrylate has the formula

    R(O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.4

wherein R represents ##STR23##
 15. The thermoplastic floor covering of claim 13 in which said polyfunctional acrylate has the formula

    R.sup.1 --O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.3

wherein R¹ represents ##STR24## and R₃ represents hydrogen or (C₁ to C₃) alkyl.
 16. The thermoplastic floor covering of claim 13 in which said polyfunctional acrylate has the formula

    R.sup.2 --O--C(O)--CH═CH.sub.2).sub.2

wherein R² represents: a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, --C₂ H₄ O--_(a) --C₂ H₄ --, ##STR25## --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ O--_(c) CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene groups, ##STR26## a is an integer from 1 to 20; b is an integer from 1 to 10; and c is an integer from 1 to
 5. 17. The thermoplastic floor covering of claim 13 in which said ureadiacetoacetamide has the formula

    H.sub.3 C--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--NH--R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--HN--R.sup.5 --NH--C(O)--HN--R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--CH.sub.3

wherein R⁵ represents: 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene, 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene, mixtures of 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene and 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene, methylenebis(4-cyclohexylene), and 3-methylene-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylene; wherein each R⁴ may be the same or different and separately represents: a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, --C₂ H₄ O--_(d) --C₂ H₄ --, ##STR27## a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene groups, --H₆ C₃ O--C₂ H₄ O--_(e) --C₂ H₄ --OC₃ H₆ --, ##STR28## d is an integer from 1 to 6; and e is an integer from 1 to
 4. 18. The thermoplastic floor covering of claim 13 in which said diacetoacetamide has the formula

    R.sup.4 --NH--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --C(O)--CH.sub.3).sub.2

wherein R⁴, d, and e are as defined above.
 19. The thermoplastic floor covering of claim 13 in which said cyanoacetate has the formula

    R.sup.6 --O--C(O)--CH.sub.2 CN

wherein R⁶ represents a (C₁ to C₁₀) alkyl group, benzyl, CH₃ CH₂ O--C₂ H₄ O--_(f) C₂ H₄ --, ##STR29## a cycloalkane group, and a cycloalkane bearing a (C₁ to C₃) alkyl group and f is an integer from 0 to
 4. 20. The thermoplastic floor covering of claim 13 in which said cyanoacetate has the formula

    R.sup.7 --(O--C(O)--CH.sub.2 --CN).sub.2

wherein R⁷ represents a (C₁ to C₁₀ alkylene group, a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁ to C₁₀) alkylene group, --C₂ H₄ O--_(a) --C₂ H₄ --, ##STR30## --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ O--_(c) CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkane bearing two (C₁ to C₃) alkylene groups, ##STR31## and a, b, and c are as defined above. 